Effect of body composition on aerobic capacity and blood pressure in under graduate health science students

Rashmi Walke*, Pallavi Bhakaney

Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT

Body composition refers to body weight in terms of the absolute and relative amounts of muscle, bone, and fat tissues. Under graduate health science students are required to undertake various activities while pursuing their course so they are required to be fit. As a result, the students should be well aware of their body composition and how aerobic capacity varies on this basis. To study the effect of body composition on aerobic capacity and blood pressure in under graduate health science students. The objectives include estimation of Body composition by calculating body fat %, VO2 max after completion of Queen’s College Step Test, evaluating the blood pressure, resting & post QCST test protocol in under graduate health science students. 280 under graduate health science students able to complete QCST test were recruited. Documentation of demographic data and baseline parameters were done. Skin fold measurements at various sites were taken to estimate the body fat percentage. The QCST was done and Post-test recovery pulse rate and blood pressure were recorded. The post-test parameters were used to calculate the Vo2 max. The result of the study shows that there is an effect of body composition on aerobic capacity and blood pressure in under graduate health science students thereby supporting the aim of the study. It is clear that body composition does affect the aerobic capacity and blood pressure in undergraduate health science students. Furthermore it is to note that the fitness level of health science students are better if their body fat percentage is lower because they are exhibiting higher aerobic capacity and also the blood pressure values have found to be comparatively lower.

Keywords:

Body composition, Aerobic capacity, Blood pressure, BMI.